Quick Start Agreement Struck between SWGTC and Ethanol Plant

Southwest Georgia Technical College and the Georgia Quick Start Program have entered into an agreement to assist the new First United Ethanol, LLC (FUEL) plant in Mitchell County with training its facility’s employees.  Ceremonies marking the signing of the agreement between FUEL, SWGTC and Quick Start were recently held in Camilla at McCree Hall.

On hand for the signing were SWGTC President Dr. Glenn Deibert, SWGTC Vice President of Economic Development Gary Pitts, FUEL CEO Murray Campbell, and Quick Start Regional Director Joe Bailey.

Quick Start is a state-funded program designed to help new and growing businesses and industries train employees on new equipment or in new procedures. FUEL, the first 100 million gallon commercial ethanol plant in the southeast and will employee approximately 26 people and is scheduled to begin operations this fall

“We are very excited about our involvement in this venture with FUEL,” said Dr. Deibert. “This type of industry is just what Quick Start was implemented to enhance. The training we will provide for FUEL employees will help the company hit the ground running when they open this fall.”

“As part of Georgia’s seamless workforce development system, Quick Start’s capabilities are second to none for getting companies up, running and competing in the global marketplace,” said Gary Pitts. “For more than 40 years, Quick Start has provided customized workforce training free-of-charge to qualified businesses in Georgia. It is an excellent program that benefits all of us.”

Operations at the FUEL plant will include a 450-ton-per-day liquid CO2 plant built by Airgas. Airgas has entered into a 15 year agreement with FUEL, which will provide the feedstock of raw CO2, AirGas will refine the raw CO2 for food, commercial, and beverage grade use. 

The Airgas portion of the complex will employ an estimated 15 to 20 people and operations are scheduled to get underway in the fall of 2009. More information on Quick Start training at SWGTC may be obtained by calling 227-3414.